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NCGA Offers Economical and Ecological Bulk Buying Options

Feb 27, 2008

Think you’re just purchasing rice when you reach for that box on the grocery store shelf? When purchasing packaged foods, you pay for more than just what’s inside the box. The amount consumers pay also includes packaging and, in many cases, advertising. On the other hand, purchasing products from bulk bins allows consumers to reduce the amount of packaging that ends up in landfills while getting their favorite foods at typically lower prices and in exactly the amount they need.

“Co-ops have a long history of offering products in bulk,” said Robynn Shrader, chief executive officer for NCGA. “Buying in bulk is a simple and easy way to shop, giving consumers more choices at affordable prices while having a positive impact on the environment.”

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), nearly 80 million tons of waste is generated from packaging and containers annually - nearly a third of annual municipal solid waste. Purchasing products in bulk and storing food in reusable containers can help eliminate that waste.

In most cases, buying in bulk is as simple as weighing the quantity needed and writing down the item’s bin number. Most bulk bin aisles include beans, cereals, flours, grains, herbs and spices, nut butters, oils, pastas, sweeteners, teas and coffees, pet food, and household and toiletry items like soaps.